Environmental education program reaches statewide

By
Donna Bowen

Last year, Master Naturalist volunteers provided 4,500 hours of service removing invasive species such as beach vitex, monitoring water quality, and assisting state park rangers.

Directed by ethnobotanist Karen Hall, the Master Naturalist program trains and coordinates a statewide corps of volunteers who provide education and service to support natural resources management.

“The Master Naturalist program does a great job providing opportunities for environmental education because they teach individuals who teach others,” said Jody Childs, Environmental Education Association of South Carolina awards director. “It’s a multiplying effect to increase environmental literacy across the state.”

Because of this, the Environmental Education Association selected the Master Naturalist program to win the 2010 award for outstanding leadership in environmental education.